Circular No 815

Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 17 June 2017 No. 815

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Dear Friends,

We are having lots of difficulties here in Venezuela as you must have read in the newspapers and internet.

I did not want to bother you before but each day we are traversing more difficulties in obtaining adequate food supplies.

As coordinator and editor, I know and have met a few oldboys here in Venezuela who are having difficulties because there are no jobs, and much less for men of their age.  And their situation is dire.

Through humanitarian relief, a group of Trinidadian oldboys have banded together to send food to these oldboys.

The process has been to gather the necessary funds and then purchase basic food and personal toilette items.

These are being taken to Chaguaramas TT and shipped to Guiria Venezuela by boat that makes regular runs a couple of times a week.  We know the particulars of the boat’s captain.

Then the boxes are picked up by one of the recipients and taken to Maturin, El Tigre and Ciudad Bolivar.

In Maturin the shipment is broken up into individual portions, as possible.

This aid must be repeated as the food situation gets more difficult, and the shutting down of local suppliers and the poor management of the government’s free supplies.  Hope you can join in the supply chain.

The main contacts are: the ASAA in Trinidad, through Joe Berment, and Winston Ramsahai.

Those living in the States or worldwide, can contact me for the best solution.

Due to the largeness of an oldboy from the States I have receive a parcel myself.

This shipment contained grains, etc and high protein food for persons of the third and fourth age like myself and these are shipped from Miami, where we have a collaborator who buys the food items at wholesalers and packs the box.  It is a door to door delivery.

I am looking for a donor for a guy in the Maracaibo area; he is around 78 years old, Class 1958.  This must be shipped from the Sates in the door to door fashion, so to make sure that it is delivered.

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Here is the first detailed article that I have received on Fr. Bernard, capturing the essence of the man.  Since this is the most difficult aspect in writing about a person, Rafael has captured the personality to a fine detail, wonderful testimony for posterity.

I would like to hear comments, another opinion, how about it, Wayne!

I hope that this resume could be expanded to other priests and members of the MSB community in future Circulars.

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From: "Rafael Echeverria G." <reglaw@netuno.net.ve>

Date: 26 Oct 10:17 (PST)

Dear Ladislao.

First of all let me confirm my deep regret in not being able to meet with you for lunch during your last visit to Maracaibo last Thursday. I promise I will be contacting you when I go to Caracas next time.

I have been deeply touched by Fr. Bernard's Eulogy.  It brought me back memories of what Fr. Bernard meant to me.  Of how much he taught me.

WHAT FATHER BERNARD MEANT TO ME.-

He was always the silent ... but always a present ... authority. It was not necessary for him to be present anywhere or at any time in particular for all of us to know that we would never wished to have to confront him if we failed to do things the right way. I remember how much Norman Smith and myself made jokes about him. Laughing at the nickname everybody knew him by. But we all knew that in spite of that Fr. Bernard ... Our HEADMASTER ... had our full and deep respect.

Father Bernard taught me how to face the truth. He taught me a lot about honesty. Honesty with myself. I dare say that his being so severe was based precisely in making me confront myself and with my own weaknesses and mistakes. Fr. Bernard would make sure that I would do anything in my power to correct myself. And if I failed in trying, he would take care of things. The hard way. He would always call me to put my feet on earth as I pretended to make The Beatles a substitution for my Mathematics and English Literature. He taught me to laugh at myself. I was a dreamer.

He made me appreciate the love for my Father (Don Rafael Echeverría). He always talked to me about my father's professional and political merits as a thinker. I will never forget his teachings about strength of character. Very especially as our Director in the Play "A Man for All Season".

To receive the notification of having to appear at his Desk, was always an incredible feeling of challenge, and fear. It was not easy to stand to his eyes looking at you over the rim of his thin glasses while asking you whatever he wanted to know or whatever he wanted to stress in your heart. Fr. Bernard taught me how stupid one can be by being selfish and conceited. He taught the greatness of facing the truth no matter how painful it was the price to be paid. He made me stronger by making me suffer in confronting myself. It was a challenge to face Fr. Bernard.

As my Religion Teacher, he took things very seriously and exposed me to shame - a couple of times - when falling asleep in his classes. My mind would just jump when hearing his voice "... Rafael ...." almost as a whisper from his teacher's desk. Then I would open my eyes having to confront the whole class ... and his eyes ... once again ... looking straight at me over the rim of his thin glasses ... and smiling ... with holy patience.

That episode - and others he provoked - made me feel so incredibly stupid, and taught me so much.

He always put me to the challenge. The challenge of confronting myself and my miseries. He taught me the value of honour.

The last time I saw him was in Caracas, I remember him so well while driving down Av. Luis Roche in Altamira. He looked healthy and strong with excellent humour. I was with Kendrik Allum in his car and Father Bernard - after a brief and pleasant conversation - exploded with laughter and told me "You are still the same philosopher Rafael" .... He laughed so much. He asked me lots of questions about my plans for the future. It was heaven talking to him.

He was my HEADMASTER. He was my friend. I love him. I will never forget him. I regret not being closer to him during his last years. How can I ever honour him enough ? How can I make my wife, children and grandchildren know how much he meant to me ? How can I make all of them understand that the person which I am now ... whatever or whoever I am ... I owe him in a great and important part ... to him ... Father Bernard ... my HEADMASTER at The Abbey School of Mount St. Benedict.

Father Bernard meant my whole life to me. He taught me to Love Christ. He made me a Christian. He made me a Mount Boy. He made me a man.

I guess the best way to honour him is never to forget him and live every day following his example. His heroism.

I will try my best ... while I imagine his eyes looking at me over the rim of his thin glasses ... with a smile.

Rafael (CheChe)

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12-03-2017 14:08:57: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Yes.... we are here

12-03-2017 14:12:46: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Kiko, Frank como estan, q bueno q pudieron reunirse

12-03-2017 14:14:15: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Es Pedro de Florida

12-03-2017 14:16:03: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Hablando de ti en estos momentos...coño tenemos q vernos todos

12-03-2017 14:17:21: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Has dicho la verdad

12-03-2017 14:18:17: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Como la estan pasando grandes carajos

12-03-2017 14:19:58: Mt Ramsahai Winston: Send  a pic of the resort lots of beautiful people

12-03-2017 14:21:37: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: You mean women

12-03-2017 14:24:45: M Moffie Edgar: Pedro...saludos...como estas???..... como anda todo???......

12-03-2017 14:25:27: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Pedro tenemos que poner fecha y sitio

12-03-2017 14:26:26: M Moffie Edgar: Kiko..Frank...espero la esten pasando bien....grandes carajos....

12-03-2017 14:31:16: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Bien EDGAR sigues en Maturin?

12-03-2017 14:32:34: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Luego mandamos fotos

12-03-2017 14:33:56: M Moffie Edgar: Eso es correcto...en los momentos estoy de visita en casa paterna en el tigre...con mama y mi hermana

12-03-2017 14:34:05: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Si kiko otro dia hablamos , por ahora gozen tu y Frank

12-03-2017 14:35:05: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Dale mis saludos EDGAR

12-03-2017 14:36:02: M Moffie Edgar: Seguro siempre preguntan por ti y Salvador....cuidate mucho y estamos en contacto....

12-03-2017 14:36:36: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Ok

12-03-2017 15:03:15: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: Disfruten y se toman una cervecita bien fría

12-03-2017 18:26:25: M Alfredo Montiel Bezara: Excelente ! Qué maravilla verlos nuevamente..... El Embajador se llama Enrique Zanelli !!!  Un abrazo a todos !! ????

12-03-2017 18:54:09: ?+1 (727) 481-8379?: Beautiful pictures my friends

12-03-2017 18:57:04: M Moffie Edgar: Y pensar que carnaval ya paso que viejos tiempos recuerdan el Queens park savana y otros???... que lo disfruten mis hermanos....

12-03-2017 21:18:47: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: Muy bonita la foto. Dos Abbey Boys together again after 45 years

12-03-2017 22:29:06: Mt Ramsahai Winston: The men spoil the pictures too much belly

12-03-2017 22:29:39: Mt Ramsahai Winston: Regards to the boss

13-03-2017 14:35:34: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Excellent fishing in Punta Cana, sail fish and a white marlin within 15 mins of ea...Frank hooked us up with a great Captain...

13-03-2017 14:37:15: Mt Berment Joseph: So who caught the fish: the captain?

13-03-2017 14:38:27: ?+507 6228-0660?: Kiko just got in the picture

13-03-2017 14:40:57: ?+1 (281) 748-0084?: Jealous...

13-03-2017 14:41:20: ?+507 6228-0660?: you are correct.....jajajajajajaaja saludos

13-03-2017 14:58:57: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: Awesome

13-03-2017 15:01:42: ?+1 (337) 412-8751?: Bring some home to bbq.

13-03-2017 16:20:24: ?+1 (407) 259-8547?: That's the fish I use for bait

13-03-2017 16:30:48: ?+507 6228-0660?: whale fishing

13-03-2017 17:19:07: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: I caught one once and it took the sea 2 weeks to fill the hole in the sea it came out of.

13-03-2017 17:20:45: ?+1 (201) 401-3133?: So how many whales did u ever caught

13-03-2017 17:21:37: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: Going Bequia for Easter and will get whale to eat.??

13-03-2017 17:22:06: ?+1 (201) 401-3133?: Take Neil with u

13-03-2017 17:22:32: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: No way. I greedy.??

13-03-2017 17:22:51: ?+1 (868) 763-5162?: Going to exercise later folks.

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.

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Photos:

68SC0100PARROTS, Parrots Patrol

17LK4659FBCDGWFE, Christopher de Gannes

78LK2844FBADE, Alain Devaux

13LK8559FBGAN, Gerard Anderson